THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOUR / LA SOCIETE CANADIENNE DE PEINTURES EN AQUARELLE
Our AGM is next Saturday – May 6th, 2023
Thank you to all who have registered for the AGM at The Arts and Letters Club on May 6th.
The CSPWC Annual Report (with committee reports, slate of officers, motions being put forward and more) will be sent out shortly along with the financials and minutes from last year’s meeting.
If you are not attending in person but want to attend virtually, Monday, May 1st is the last day you can register. You can register here for the online – AM and/or PM portion of our AGM. REGISTER HERE
For those of you who have already registered for the on-line version, you will receive the Zoom links 2 days before the AGM.
For those of you joining us at The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto we look forward to seeing you face to face (masked or not).
The address is 14 Elm St, Toronto, (416) 597-0223. Location information is here: A&L Club. As it is a private club you do have to buzz to be let in. We’ll be right inside the door, so there’s no waiting.
Administrative note to Members and Associates
Our Member’s Directory for 2023 will be published and released several weeks after the AGM – should you have any updates to your personal information : address change or email, phone number changes please send these in, ASAP, to info@cspwc.ca.
Our newsletter publication process is being reviewed. We’ve needed a volunteer for the position of Newsletter Chairperson for a long while now. We’ll be sure to keep you informed of any major changes.
Our Annual International Open Water Exhibition – by Rayne Tunley
As the Chairperson, I invite you to submit your work for our 98th Open Water International Juried Exhibition. The call for entry submissions will open on May 1st, 2023, and we are excited to see the incredible talent that will be showcased.
This exhibition is exclusively open to submissions painted in water-based media, which will also include traditional transparent watercolors. We encourage you to submit your work for consideration.
The deadline for entries is at 12:00 Noon EST on July 7, 2023.
Our esteemed jurors this year include guest juror Suzanne Carte, Senior Curator at the Art Gallery of Burlington, and CSPWC member jurors Mark Rosser and Carol Westcott.
To submit your work, please visit the CSPWC website’s home page on May 1, 2023 to find the call for entry. We eagerly anticipate your entries for this prestigious show and cannot wait to see the incredible art that will be on display.
Thank you for your interest in the CSPWC Open Water Exhibition 2023!
Rayne Tunley – Open Water 2023 Chairperson
Symposium Update on Big Skies Open Spaces, July 16-21 – by Tom Young
The end of the Early Bird bargains is coming to a close on May 15. We have 85% of the Symposium workshops in Regina, SK filled. If you are thinking about joining us, these are two great reasons to register now!
The response from across much of Canada for attending this year’s CSPWC Symposium has been excellent! With 85 of 100 seats filled, we have already exceeded our initial forecast of 70%. In response to additional registration requests, we are creating waiting lists for those classes already filled.
This year’s event includes plenty of choices: to select combinations of classes; to register for among five tremendous instructors from B. C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec; to register for an exciting get-together for dinner on Wednesday (this will include a virtual exhibition of paintings on Big Skies Open Spaces); and to choose one or more evening presentations on Stoneground watercolours made in Regina, history and services of CSPWC, and Urban Sketchers.
We currently have just over 40 registered participants traveling from across Saskatchewan, Alberta, B. C., Manitoba, and Ontario. If you know of anyone who may be interested from these locations or another province or territory, contact them, let’s see if they’ll join us – making it a truly national event! We hope to see you on July 16-21 in Regina.
To read more and register for this event please visit our website, CSPWC-Big skies, or use this link: Tickets for Regina Symposium
Education Events for May and June
It’s your last chance to sign up for Sterling Edwards Abstracted Architecture in Watercolour.
Sterling’s event is this coming week, May 4th. Learn how he designs his paintings with expressive colours and strong shifts of value to create a sense of movement. Watch him overlap positive and negative shapes to suggest depth, dimension and drama.
For more info or to sign up, use this link: Sterling Edwards
Horses in Watercolour with William Rogers is open for you to register. This online demonstration takes place June 1st.
Horses have uniquely recognizable and distinctive figures so Bill will discuss drawing tips on how to make a horse that looks right. He will share how he places the horse figure within the composition and how he solves the puzzle of making a convincing background.
For more info or to sign up, use this link: William Rogers
New York, New York and the American Watercolour Society Show – attended by Poppy Balser.
There are few watercolour societies older than the CSPWC, but one that stands out is the American Watercolor Society, founded in 1866.
The AWS is currently holding their 156th International Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City. The show is up until April 28, 2023 and then a touring exhibition of a selected number of the paintings will travel the US for a year. How fortunate we are to have four current CSPWC Elected Members and one Member-Elect with paintings juried into this year’s AWS Exhibition. Or should I say, how fortunate New York is to see the works of our talented members: Jennifer Annesley, CSPWC, (to be invested as an AWS member on April 28th), Poppy Balser, CSPWC, Shari Blaukopf, CSPWC, Xiqiang Fei, CSPWC, AWS and Wenqing He, to be invested as CSPWC member on May 6th, and to be invested as AWS member on April 28th.
Poppy Balser traveled to NYC to attend the reception on April 11 and to see the exhibition.
She reports on her experience here:
The Salmagundi Club has its own long history in the art world and is a very elegant gallery space. The AWS show fills both the upper and lower gallery spaces and is a gorgeous display of excellence in watercolour.
Award winners were identified with tasteful brass plaques attached to the glazing at the base of the painting. Attendees were invited to identify themselves by attaching a purple ribbon to their clothes.
I arrived early so that I could get photos of the paintings by CSPWC members. I am glad I did, because the room soon filled up. The reception was very well attended.
I was able to meet some of the other exhibitors whom I previously had only known through their online presence and I enjoyed exploring the Salmagundi Club which has it’s own collection of paintings on the walls throughout the Club, as well as a display of palettes belonging to past members hanging in the downstairs bar.
Award winning paintings can be seen here: American Watercolor Society 156th Exhibition Awards
The rest of the show is not online at time of publication.
To give you a peek inside the exhibition, Poppy made a brief video about her visit to the show and to NYC in general, which you can see here: Poppy’s Facebook Tour of the Show
Member News
Poppy Balser was awarded second place in the QuickDraw for her plein air watercolour painting, titled Searching for the Sliver Lining, during the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air paint-out in Port St Joe, Florida.
Juror T. Allen Lawson described her painting as a “beautifully observed and beautifully executed” watercolour, notable particularly for having been painted in conditions of rain and fierce wind gusts.
William Rogers is in high demand these days! He has been invited to the Carmel Art Festival in May for the 30th Anniversary Plein Air Event as a previous award winner. Find more about this event HERE.
He has been Juried into “Paint Annapolis” in Annapolis, Maryland for June 4-11; and juried into “Mountain Maryland Plein Air” in Cumberland for June 12-17th.
He’s pictured here with his painting Earle’s Tractors, which won 2nd prize at Mountain Maryland Plein Air event. Congrats William!
Susan Garrington, is happy to share that her painting, Heat Wave, was selected by Juror Sonya Blazek from among 400+ submissions to be one of the 54 paintings in the Glenhyrst Biennial Juried Exhibition. The exhibition is from March 25 to May 21. Glenhyrst Art Gallery, 20 Ava Road, Brantford ON Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm and Sat. & Sun. 11am-4pm
Find more about this event HERE.
Anita Wood has had her painting Peony Passion accepted as one of a hundred into Art Comp23, in London, Ont. The letter to her said her painting was selected from 1,000 entries. What a great letter to get! Find more about this event HERE.
See more of Anita’s work on her Facebook page: Anita Wood’s Art on Facebook
Doreen Renner is happy to have paintings selected for the Florida Suncoast Watercolour Society Juried Exhibition, the Art Center Manatee Members Juried Show and the Sarasota Art Center Juried Show. And what an honour to also have her painting, “Forest Medley”, selected for the Society of Canadian Artists Open International Exhibition April 1 to June 19.
Find more about this event HERE.
Margaret Rosemanshares with us that her painting “Turning to Fall” received an Award of Merit at the recent Toronto Watercolour Society Spring 2023 Aquavision Show and “Autumn Bouquet” was accepted into the Society of Canadian Artists 2023 Open International Juried Online Exhibition.
Find more about this event HERE.
Tianya Zhou’s watercolour painting ‘Uygur Cotton Farmer’ recently received a Honourable Mention Award (one of five awards) in the Society of Canadian Artists’s 2023 Open International Online Juried Exhibition.
See more about this show HERE.
Shari Blaukopf is very honoured that her painting “Wetlands” was selected for the 156th International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society in New York City.
See more about this show HERE.
Jennifer Annesley has been accepted as a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, Congratulations Jennifer!!! She fulfilled her final requirement with the acceptance of “Saisons, Versailles” in the AWS 156th Annual International Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York.
Also, this fall marks a major career milestone, the 30th Anniversary of Jennifer’s Annual Exhibition in Edmonton scheduled for November 9, 2023.
Associate News
Gail Backus shares this photo, taken at the opening reception for the Humber Valley Art Club on April 3rd at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. She comments: ‘I was honoured to win an Award of Merit for my painting, “A Circular Situation”. ‘
Find more about this event HERE.
Ghazi Toutounji shows off his paintings in his exhibit at the Assembly Hall in Toronto, together with another artist, Cat Marchese. Ghazi Toutounji’s paintings are mostly watercolors representing heritage buildings, landscapes and scenery from Lebanon.”
The show runs from April 5 – May 11 at the Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive in Etobicoke. Hours 10-5pm M-F, 10-1pm Sat.
See more about this show HERE.
Kathy Hancock was delighted when the editor of Island Arts magazine, Susan Schaeffer, published a photo of her painting – Donna’s Garden. There is a brief explanation of the artwork that provides background information. “Such an honour to be published in their magazine” Kathy exclaims.
See this issue HERE.
Tiina Price is honoured to have her watercolour, The Lightness of Being, included at the Fabriano in Acquarello Exhibition in Bologna, (April 23 to 25); and in Fabriano, (April 26 to July 3, 2023.)
This Italian annual international art festival encourages artists and art lovers to spend time together to understand watercolour and grow this artform, it was a delight to be a part of it.
Read more about this event HERE.
Workshops
Bonnie Steinberg is offering a trip to ST. JOHN’S Newfoundland, August 20th -27th 2023 Bonnie Steinberg will be thrilled to have you join her in her upcoming watercolour workshop in St. John’s Newfoundland and vicinity. The beauty of this wonderful province will be sure to inspire the painter in you!
Join us and take part in classes, group discussions and demonstrations.
For further information please contact Bonnie Steinberg at: watercolours@rogers.com
See more of her work on her Facebook pg or HERE
Margaret Roseman is offering Online Classes and Workshops continuing through the Spring and Summer to guide you on your watercolour journey.
Please visit www.margaretroseman.com for dates and details.
Opportunities
The Saugeen Artists Guild is inviting Ontario Artists to paint in our Plein Air Painting Festival across the Saugeen River Watershed from West Grey through to Brockton from July 19th to 22nd.
Professionals, amateurs, students and youth are all invited to participate.
Register now at https://www.saugeenartistsguild.com/www.saugeenartistsguild.com
An Art Show and Sale of your work from the festival will be held Sunday, July 23rd at the Hanover Community Centre with over $2000 in prizes to be awarded.
Entries for the 2023 NWS International are NOW open.
This Gallery Exhibition is open to all artists working in water media.
Deadline for entry is June 2nd, 2023. (Noon, Pacific time)
Enter today on CaFE’. See the prospectus HERE
QUESTIONS: Contact Judy Saltzman, NWS Exhibition Director at NWSExhibition@gmail.com
CSPW Remembers Two Elected Members
Remembering Michael Cleary
We’ve received sad news about the passing of one of our life members, Michael Cleary.
Michael was elected to CSPWC membership in 1977 with his painting ‘Baffin Island’ now residing in our Diploma collection (and shown below). With much contribution to CSPWC, including the role of BC Regional Director for a sustained time, he was awarded life membership in 2006. He also was a member of the Canadian Federation of Artists and a founding member of the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. The Tour, one of the first of its kind, featured local artists displaying their work in their own studios. His art took him coast to coast across Canada, enjoying the Muskoka and Algoma districts in Ontario, the Yukon and Baffin Island and he and his wife even sailed around Vancouver Island after settling for a time in Port Alberni, BC.
Our member Ed Shawcross shares this memory of Michael: “Michael was a remarkable artist & a warm, caring person. I recall him always smiling & looking to his surroundings with an artist’s eye. Both he & Pat were supportive, wonderful & creative people. As I recall from our visits with them, Pat kept a journal of their experiences & travels. She graciously shared these when we met – wonderful words that inspired images complementing Michael’s paintings. This world is lesser for his passing but the stars now have brilliant company.”
Michael is survived by his wife Patricia and their three children and three grandchildren. They have shared his thoughts about his art with us:
“He enjoyed leading painting workshops and sharing his insights with other painters. In describing his art, Michael said: I was introduced to watercolour painting during my last years at grammar school in England. Since then I have studied oil painting, design and composition as well as various crafts. I have deliberately not taken any instruction in watercolour because I wanted to work out my own methods and evolve my own symbols. In order to create work that is fresh and full of the detail that intrigues me, I paint outside in front of the subject in all seasons keeping studio painting to a minimum. Each painting is a unique reaction to the subject at the time it was painted, requiring several days in front of the subject, during which time light and weather conditions vary a great deal. The final result is a synthesis of all I have learned about the subject while the work was in progress.
Michael is deeply missed by his family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Ontario. In honour of his memory, donations could be made to the Canadian Society of Painters In Water Colour at: https://cspwc.ca/payments/ or the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia at: https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/take-action/donate.
CSPWC thanks him and his family for including us in his passing wishes. You can read his obituary here: Michael Cleary
Remembering Margaret (Peggy) L. Squire
When we received the new of the passing of Margaret L (Peggy) Squire, several of our Ontario members had sentiments to share of this Life member. Peggy became an elected member of CSPWC in 1980 and a life member after serving as our President in 1995 – 1997. In her last years, painting still gave her pleasure, even as dementia significantly impacted her last years.
A Celebration of Her Life, and Funeral Service, are being held on April 6, 2023, at Dixon Garland Guneral Home in Markham.
Here, several members share their memories of Peggy.
Peter Marsh writes about Margaret Squire, or more endearingly, “Peggy”.
“Walking into the main meeting room at Wallace Ave a painting on the far wall hit me in the eye! Around the year 2000 Wallace Avenue was a CSPWC head office address and from time to time the CSPWC held exhibitions in the large meeting area there. That painting, Spring Thaw, painted in her inimitable style, was created by Margaret Squire, a president and long admired award-winning painter of distinction. Margaret had served as president 1995-97 and continued to serve on the board for years afterward, along with participating in Society exhibitions. In fact her artwork (shown below) still hangs on the wall in our present office in the form of a “75 Year Anniversary historical poster” promoting the exhibitions of that celebratory time.
Formerly a school teacher, Margaret was a quiet and meticulous person, determined in her painting, and more than competent in leading our Society.
Margaret will be missed but on a positive note she has made a grand contribution to the history of Canadian watercolour painting, and personally I am lucky as I wake up to this eye-smacking painting every morning as it hangs opposite my bed. (See painting at left.) In 2016 a group of CSPWC artists met in Rocky Harbour to paint. In driving down the surrounding roads we immediately recognized Peggy’s painting as there was the scene right in front of us. Serendipitous to be sure but remarkable as a discovery. Just as remarkable as Peggy herself!
Janet Baker shares these thoughts: A boardroom, a wall, a painting – thinking of Peggy
Recently, in the boardroom adjacent to the CSPWC office, Marlene Madole and I go through binders containing old newsletters. We make notes, and simply enjoy the day and being together in our ongoing digging-through-archival-treasures endeavour—the continuation of an activity initiated by Marlene, aimed at documenting myriad materials from the jam-packed shelves and filing cabinets in the tiny CSPWC office.
In that boardroom, there is a painting—every time I look up, there it is, calling for attention, a presence. We stop again and again, just to gaze and enjoy—a shoreline, those dancing brush strokes, that light-filled airy sky—a painting that is joyful, totally captivating, and unmistakeably Peggy Squire.
We see her name in those older newsletters, we come across the one where she became a member. We read her writings from the years she served as editor. We talk about Peggy, wonder how she is doing. We recall her years as President. It is April 4th. The next day we receive news of her death on April 2nd.
Her legacy in the CSPWC, and in her paintings, is alive and well. Those of us who knew her are fortunate—we have the memories.
Marlene Madole shares her memories of Peggy: “To the 6th women president from the 7th women president”
Peggy and I shared a facilitated plein air week organized through the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, painted all day, every day – but what she insisted on scheduling was painting sunset as it fell into Lake Huron for three nights in a row – The Big Splash as her family now knows it. Public access to the lake was at the end of the road to her cottage. Her childhood cottage was built around the tip of the peninsula in the next bay. I just found out that her painting for the Royal Collection, Phase I, held at the Royal Library Windsor Castle, was titled Evening Waters, Lake Huron.
You can find her obituary HERE
Below is Margaret Squire’s Diploma Collection piece as mentioned above.
Thank you to all our contributors for this issue of our newsletter, for sharing your good news, for sharing your memories and for your continued support of CSPWC.